Kerala Tourism makes foray into Japan with roadshow in Tokyo

Trivandrum: Kerala Tourism has made its foray into the vast outbound tourism market of Japan, with a first-time road show in the capital Tokyo. As many as 55 leading trade participants from the Japanese travel and tourism industry participated in the road show held on October 19 at Tokyo.

The road show follows the assurance given by the Japanese government to support the State in promoting tourism, during the meeting between Kerala Tourism Secretary, G Kamala Vardhana Rao and Japan’s Ambassador to India, Takeshi Yagi, in New Delhi on October 6.

“As the world’s third largest economy, Japan is a very important market for us,” said Shri A P Anil Kumar Hon. Minister for Tourism. “After the 2009 global financial meltdown, Japan has been on the path of recovery with increased employment and income in the recent years,” he added.

This is the first time Kerala Tourism organised a road show in Japan though the State tourism department had taken part in the biggest travel and trade show in Japan, JATA Tourism Expo, in the last two years.

“The road show in Tokyo is a significant step for us to position our State as a top destination for Japanese travellers as well as a MICE destination for CEOs of its major companies to conduct meetings and conferences,” said Minister.

The Kerala Tourism delegation was led by Additional Director (General), Anupama T V, who made a detailed presentation about the tourism products at the road show.

“There was an enthusiastic response to the road show from the Japanese industry. The leading outbound travel companies wanted to get further insights into the products offered by us,” Anupama said.

The office bearers of Japanese Association of Travel Agents attended the road show. The Japanese media also showed its keen interest in the event, with a participation of several media persons representing mainstream news organisations attending the road show. Tourist arrivals from Japan have witnessed a 25 per cent growth in the last five years.